Library and Community News

The U.S. Census Wants to Hear From You!

Group of people sitting around table with census materialsIf you have responded to the Census, thank you! If you have not, it's not too late. Find out how to respond by reading this page from the official Census 2020 website.

The basics

  • The census counts every person living in the United States, regardless of age or citizenship status, every 10 years in years ending in 0.
  • It’s in the Constitution.
  • There is NOT a Citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

It’s important

  • It’s about money, power, and data.
  • Every year people pay their taxes. Only every 10 years, we help decide how those dollars come back to us. The 2020 Census will help to distribute billions of dollars in federal resources to your community.
  • Our community gets resources based on population counts, that helps pay for schools, roads, police, fire, health care and many more services. An undercount in our community would jeopardize our full share of these resources.
  • An accurate and complete Census helps businesses, community leaders and elected officials make informed decisions every day.

It’s easy

  • For the first time, people can respond online and by phone, in addition to the mail-in option. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and impacts the next 10 years because the next Decennial Census does not happen until 2030.

It’s safe and confidential

  • Your data is protected and it’s confidential. Federal law protects your responses, which cannot be shared with law enforcement, immigration agencies, or housing authorities.

COVID-19 & the 2020 Census:

  • The 2020 Census is underway and the most important and safe thing you can do is respond online, by phone, or by mail. It has never been easier to respond to the 2020Census.
  • Responding now will minimize the need for the Census Bureau to send census takers out into communities to follow up with households.

Where Is Our 3D Printer?

Photo of 3D printerOur Little Lulzbot is happily part of a solid supply chain. This week she’s cranking out face shields and mask straps. The parts then go to Make It Labs in Nashua for post production, then to Lowell Makes for distribution to health care workers. A world of thanks to John Walsh, Assistant Director for Innovation and Technology at Woburn Public Library, and Reference Sub at Framingham.

NEW! Framingham Public Library’s YouTube Channel

Check out our new YouTube channel for video tutorials, program recordings, stories for kids and grownups, and much more!

Tales from the Dark: Adult Story TimePhoto of Dana the Librarian

Who says that story time has to be over just because the kids are in bed? Join our Libarian, Dana, as he reads tales both celebrated and obscure, ranging from spine tingling supernatural stories and macabre mysteries to amazing adventures and everything in between! And who knows; maybe the occasional poem and fairy tale might show up as well.  

1000 Paper Cranes poster, photo of paper craneA Thousand Paper Cranes Challenge: Ongoing

Join us in making a thousand paper cranes to decorate the Libraries upon our reopening. An instructional video by Lucas Gustafson, our Origami Club leader, on how to make an origami crane is on our YouTube channel. Watch it, then make away in any spare minutes. To find out why we’re folding paper cranes check out the Wikipedia entry on Orizuru or read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr (available in Overdrive/Libby).

News from the Friends of the Library

Despite COVID-19 and the closure of the Library, The Friends continue to provide support with whatever Library staff need, including purchasing additional Constant Contact and video conferencing tools which allow them to increase their communication with the public and among themselves. We apologize, but we cannot accept book donations until the Library reopens. We sincerely thank you for your past support and look forward to seeing you once the Library is open and our book sales are up and running again!

The Bookmobile Wants to Visit Your House!

photo of bookmobile parked outside buildingThe Bookmobile can’t wait to get back on the road, and to celebrate we want to visit you! Get out your crayons and pens and draw us a picture or write us a story (or both) about why we should visit your house when we are back on the road. The Bookmobile will throw a party at the home of five lucky winners to be selected at random!

For ages K-12. Entry deadline date to be decided.

To enter, click here to fill out a form and attach your picture or drawing.

Framingham Is Collecting and Will Distribute Donated Cloth Face Coverings

photo of woman wearing cloth maskLast week, the City began collecting homemade cloth face coverings at the drive-up book returns at both Library locations at 49 Lexington Street and 746 Water Street. So far, people have created and donated more than 300 face coverings so far!

The first phase of this project is collection. Distribution information will be released as the City receives a few more donations. People can find examples of how to make a homemade cloth face coverings from the Centers for Disease Control’s website. Once created, please package the cloth face coverings in an envelope or plastic bag, and drop them off at the specially marked drive-up library book returns. Remember, cloth face coverings protect you and others. Thank you for keeping us all healthy and safe!